Author: Charles Spurgeon

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We adore you because you are holy, and we love you for your infinite perfection. For now we sigh and cry after holiness ourselves. Sanctify us wholly, spirit, soul and body. Lord, we mourn over the sins of our past life and our present shortcomings. We bless you that you have forgiven us; we are reconciled to you by the death of Thy Son. There are many who know that they have been washed, and that he that takes away sin has taken their sin away. These are they who now cry to you to be delivered from the power of sin, to be delivered from the power of temptation without, but especially from indwelling sin within.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 5:5)

What a glorious thing it is to know that the salvation God has given us in Christ is a perfect salvation of our complete selves! Not a hair of your head shall perish. You shall go into the furnace, you shall walk amid the glowing coals of death, but you shall come forth with not a smell of fire passed upon you. At the Lord’s appearing you shall be none the worse for the fall of Adam. You shall be none the worse for your own transgressions; you shall be none the worse for all the scars of battle; you shall be none the worse for dying. You shall be in heaven as bright as God himself could have made you if you had never fallen and never sinned.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

TWO DAYS LEFT: Get Two Free Books*

Evangelism is an urgent and weighty task. We know that we need to do it (and most of us feel guilty that we don’t do it more), but we have a lot of questions about how to do it right.

I’m really thankful for the way Share the Gospel by Tony Payne (A new resource from Matthias Media) answers so many of these questions. And because this book is rooted in the truth of Scripture, it isn’t full of guilt-trips about missed opportunities — it’s about letting the wonderful grace of God propel us to announce it to everyone and anyone!

This book is one of the most practical resources on evangelism that I’ve seen — it is full of easy-to-use tools to start conversations, transition to the gospel, and share with clarity.

If you want to live faithfully as Christ’s ambassador, you will NOT regret the time you spend in this book.

THIS MONTH ONLY, if you pre-order Share the Gospel, you’ll also receive TWO FREE COPIES of The Christian Gospel (which helps non-Christians understand the Bible’s big story and God’s plan to save sinners through Jesus).

Pre-Order Share the Gospel and receive two free books when you mention SpurgeonBooks.

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH (BY SPURGEON)

Lord visit our church. We have heard your message to the church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:1–7); it is a message to us also. Oh, do not let any of us lose our first love. Let not our church grow cold and dead. We are not, we fear, what once we were. Lord revive us! All our help must come from you. Give back to the church its love, its confidence, its holy daring, its consecration, its liberality, its holiness. Give back all it ever had and give it much more. Take every member and wash his feet, sweet Lord, most tenderly, and set us with clean feet in a clean road, with a clean heart to guide them, and bless us as you are known to do in a divine fashion.

Bless us, our Father, and let all the churches of Jesus Christ partake of like care and tenderness. Walking among the golden lamp stands trim every lamp and make every light, even though it burns but feebly now, to shine out gloriously through your care.

Amen.

ENTER TO WIN $10K FOR YOUR PASTOR

Thanks to Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College for sponsoring the Weekend Edition. I’m so thankful that their continued partnership has made it possible to bring back the Weekend Edition!

October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and Midwestern is hosting a giveaway of $10,000 to celebrate one faithful pastor (including a $5,000 donation to the church and $5,000 towards a well-deserved family vacation for the pastor).

Plus, anyone who enters or nominates their pastor will receive a free ebook of Spurgeon the Pastor by Midwestern professor Geoff Chang.

You can nominate your pastor (or, if you are a pastor, enter yourself!) right here.

WEEKEND LONG READ (SERMON BY SPURGEON)

The Gracious Lips of Jesus

Imagination’s utmost stretch cannot conceive of anything more gracious; and the contemplation of the most devoted Christian cannot think of any words more majestic in goodness, more tender in sympathy, more full of honey, and more luscious in their sweetness, than the gracious words that proceeded out of the lips of Jesus Christ.

Read the full sermon from the Spurgeon Center for Biblical Preaching at Midwestern Seminary.

A FREE RESOURCE FROM MIDWESTERN

Should Christians Hope in Old Testament Promises?

In grasping how OT promises relate to us, we must not say, “We are part of the new covenant, and therefore old covenant promises do not apply to us.” In fact, the NT is very quick to cite OT promises—assuming their lasting significance!

Read the article here.

PREPARE FOR MINISTRY AT MIDWESTERN

What Jesus purchased is precious. We’ve made it our purpose. Midwestern Seminary exists for the Church, and we serve the church by biblically educating God-called men and women to be and make disciples of Jesus Christ. If you’re called to serve the church, train with us, for the Church.

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Our Father, we worship and love you; and it is one point of our worship that you are holy. There was a time was when we loved you for your mercy; we knew no more; but now you have changed our hearts and made us in love with goodness, purity, justice, true holiness; and we understand now why “the cherubim and seraphim continually do cry, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts.” We adore you because you are holy, and we love you for your infinite perfection.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:4)

Our inheritance is undefiled, for it was won by the obedience, the perfection, and sufferings of Jesus. No thought of wrong was used in the getting of the portion of the well-beloved of God. An inheritance may be defiled after it is possessed, but heaven never shall be. Satan shall never enter there, nor sin of any kind pass through the gate of pearl. What a joy is this! Defilement is on everything in this fallen world. We cannot purge ourselves completely; earthly things all bring a measure of defilement with them. But up there our portion shall not be stained with sin; we shall be perfect, and all around us perfect too.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

A Hands-On Bible Study for Real Men

I created The God Centered Husband Bible Study Workbook to teach men two things:

1. How to be the husbands God has called them to be.
2. How to study the Bible for themselves (not just skim it)

The secret to becoming a godly husband is not making your life revolve around your wife, but centering your life on God. So this hands-on Bible study will leave you amazed at God’s grace and empowered to be a more Christ-like leader.

Grab copies for yourself, a small group, or one-on-one discipleship.

Buy The God Centered Husband Bible Study Workbook on Amazon.

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Now we come back to a theme that still seems to engross our desires. Oh, that Christ might come. Oh, that his word might be made known to the uttermost ends of the earth! Lord, they die, they perish, they pass away by multitudes! Every time the sun rises and sets they pass away! Make no delay, we beg you. Give wings to the feet of your messengers and fire to their mouths, that they may proclaim the Word with swiftness and might like the Day of Pentecost. Oh, that your kingdom might come, and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, for yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3)

We are born again, and by that means we are delivered from the power of corruption. The new nature having no depravity in it, nor tendency to sin, it “is not able to sin” because it “is fathered by God” (1 John 3:9). The moment the heavenly life is implanted it begins to war with the old nature and continues to struggle violently with it. There is a deadly enmity between the two; the new nature will never be reconciled to the old or the old one to the new, but the new will conquer and overcome the evil.

Who can estimate the privilege of receiving a heaven-born nature that, however weak and feeble it may be at first, is ever-living, and by the power of God will gain the ultimate victory?

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

A Joy-Increasing Evangelism Resource*

Evangelism is one of the greatest privileges and joys we have as Christians. But unfortunately, we often allow fear to stop us from talking about Jesus — robbing us of joy.

The new book Share the Gospel by Tony Payne begins by addressing some of the most common roadblocks that PREVENT Christians from sharing their faith, including lacking confidence, worry about people’s questions, and more.

And then the book gives the timeless remedy for each of them: knowing the incomparable love of God in Christ.

Seriously, this book (and accompanying videos) are a GOLDMINE of encouragement and practical tools for evangelism.

Don’t let fear steal your joy any longer — grab a copy of Share the Gospel and grow this fall.

Pre-Order Share the Gospel and receive two free books when you mention SpurgeonBooks.

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Oh, from the tree declare your salvation, and from the throne let it be published in proclamations of a king. “Let the peoples praise you, O God; yes, let all the peoples praise you.”

Our heart seems as if it had not anything else to ask for when it reaches to this; yet would we go back a moment and say: Lord, forgive us our sins; Lord, sanctify our persons; Lord, guide us in difficulty; Lord, supply our needs. The Lord teach us; the Lord perfect us; the Lord comfort us; the Lord make us meet for the appearing of his Son from heaven!

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“… chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient and to be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” (1 Peter 1:1–2)

See, you are elected to a very high privilege. You are chosen by God from before the foundation of the world, out of his free favor, that you should be a sanctified, obedient, and cleansed people. Since God has chosen you to this, do not give way to the world, but gird up your loins to contend with it. Do not be carried away with every novelty; be sober. Do not be downcast and dispirited, but bravely hope.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

God’s love is an ocean. Dive in deep with Spurgeon.

God is love. Three simple words that seem easy to understand, explaining a reality that we could NEVER fully appreciate. We ought to be amazed at God’s never-ending love, but we usually end up just taking it for granted. To avoid this, we have to constantly be turning to the Bible to rediscover God’s unchanging love.

To help you continue to enjoy God’s love, I put together a new book, Spurgeon on God’s Love. This book compiles twelve sermons by Spurgeon, all reflecting on the glorious reality of God’s unchanging love.

These sermons have really encouraged me and I know that they will encourage you! Plus, buying a copy is a great way to support this ministry, so I can continue to send this newsletter every day.

I hope you’ll grab a copy for yourself (and another one for a friend!) and reflect on God’s love.

Buy Spurgeon on God’s Love:

• Amazon (Paperback or Kindle editions)

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord bless the work of the church and all its branches; and let your kingdom come into the hearts of multitudes by its means. Remember all churches that are really at work for Jesus, and all private individuals, workers alone, workers by themselves. Let the Lord’s own name be made known by tens of thousands.

Give the Word, and great may be the multitude of them that publish it. Let all this, our beloved country, know Christ, and come to his feet; let the dark places of this huge city be enlightened with the sweet name of Jesus. And then let the heathen know you, and the uttermost parts of the earth hear of you.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: To those chosen, living as exiles dispersed abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen…” (1 Peter 1:1)

The persons whom Peter addressed were God’s chosen, and one sure result of divine election is the world’s enmity. “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you” (John 15:19). So you too, chosen out from among men to be the peculiar people of God, must expect to be partakers of the cross, for the servant is not greater than his Lord. Since they persecuted him they will also persecute you. Therefore to you, as to those of old by Peter, the word of consolation is sent this day.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

A Stunning Book to Show Your Kids the Glories of God’s Grace

The Bible tells one beautiful story — God’s plan to rescue a people for himself from every tribe, tongue, and nation — and we have a responsibility to tell this one beautiful story in beautiful ways to the beautiful children that God has given us.

The Promise by Jason Helopoulos is a stunning picture book that tells the story of redemption from Genesis to Revelation, highlighting God’s perfection and how every hero failed to save his people… except for one!

Seriously, the art (illustrated by Rommel Ruiz) is amazing. You will find yourself flipping through The Promise after your kids are in bed. I hope you’ll grab a copy today — I know you’ll be blessed.

Buy The Promise:

• Amazon (Hardback or audiobook editions)
• ChristianBook.com (Hardback edition)

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

And now, Lord, during the few days that remain to us here below, be it all our business to cry, “Behold the Lamb!” Oh! teach these hearts to be always conscious of your love; and then these lips, that they may share as best they can by your divine help the matchless story of the cross. Oh, help us to win many to Jesus; let us not be barren, but may we have to cry that we are the beloved of the Lord, and our offspring with us. May we have many spiritual offspring that shall go with us to the throne, that we may say before him, “I and the children that you have given me.”

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.” (Psalm 1:6)

The righteous carves his name upon the rock, but the wicked writes his remembrance in the sand. The righteous man plows the furrows of earth, and sows a harvest here, which shall never be fully reaped until he enters the enjoyments of eternity; but as for the wicked, he ploughs the sea, and though there may seem to be a shining trail behind his boat, yet the waves shall pass over it, and the place that knew him shall know him no more forever.

May the Lord cleanse our hearts and our ways, that we may escape the doom of the ungodly, and enjoy the blessedness of the righteous!

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Real Help for the Really Hard Work of Evangelism*

Evangelism is DIFFICULT. But we shouldn’t expect it to come naturally — we need to invest time and energy to grow as evangelists. To that end, a great resource for you (and a friend or two!) is Share the Gospel by Tony Payne. This new book is an incredibly practical, thoroughly biblical guide to growing your confidence in talking about Jesus.

I LOVE this book. Every chapter is rooted in Scripture and filled with hope, not condemnation. God IS at work to save sinners — and he’s called US to be a part of this work.

Share the Gospel is a really practical resource that will grow your confidence AND help you learn practical tools for starting conversations, responding to questions, and leading others to Christ.

This is a “Learn Together” book. It’s designed from the ground-up to be most useful in a small group setting.

This month, if you pre-order “Share the Gospel,” you’ll also receive TWO FREE COPIES of “The Christian Gospel” (which helps non-Christians understand the Bible’s big story and God’s plan to save sinners through Jesus).

This is a REALLY helpful resource, which I know will bless you, others in your church, and countless non-Christians who you will be better equipped to share with.

Pre-Order Share the Gospel and receive two free books when you mention SpurgeonBooks.

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, raise up within our church individuals who are ablaze with love for Christ and his gospel. May we see the emergence of courageous men and women who boldly proclaim your truth. Send us leaders like Antipas, faithful martyrs, and dedicated servants like Paul. Raise up prophets like John, who declare your Word with the authority of the Holy Spirit. Revive us, Lord! Revive your work in all the churches. Return to your church in this nation. Though adversaries may think they have the upper hand, you, Lord, are alive, and we bless your name.

Amen.

ENTER TO WIN $10K FOR YOUR PASTOR

Thanks to Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College for sponsoring the Weekend Edition. I’m so thankful that their continued partnership has made it possible to bring back the Weekend Edition!

October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and Midwestern is hosting a giveaway of $10,000 to celebrate one faithful pastor (including a $5,000 donation to the church and $5,000 towards a well-deserved family vacation for the pastor).

Plus, anyone who enters or nominates their pastor will receive a free ebook of Spurgeon the Pastor by Midwestern professor Geoff Chang.

You can nominate your pastor (or, if you are a pastor, enter yourself!) right here.

WEEKEND LONG READ (SERMON BY SPURGEON)

The Doctrines of Grace do not Lead to Sin

Our Lord Jesus Christ is dead, but he has left it in his will that the chief of sinners are objects of his choicest mercy. Dying he prayed, “Father, forgive them.” Risen he pleads for transgressors. Sinners are ever on his mind: their salvation is his great object. His blood is for them, his heart for them, his righteousness for them, his heaven for them. Come, O ye guilty ones, and receive your legacy. Put out the hand of faith and grasp your portion. Trust Jesus with your souls, and he will save you. God bless you. Amen.

Read the full sermon from the Spurgeon Center for Biblical Preaching at Midwestern Seminary.

A FREE RESOURCE FROM MIDWESTERN

The Secret to Loving Your Wife Better: Love Jesus Better

I recently heard somebody say that one of the ways to endure well in ministry is to realize that ministry is not about you, it’s all about Jesus. The same is true of marriage. When you embrace that marriage is about Jesus first, and you and your wife second, one of the secrets of a joyful, enduring marriage comes to light: love Jesus better, and you will love your wife better.

Read the full article here.

PREPARE FOR MINISTRY AT MIDWESTERN

What Jesus purchased is precious. We’ve made it our purpose. Midwestern Seminary exists for the Church, and we serve the church by biblically educating God-called men and women to be and make disciples of Jesus Christ. If you’re called to serve the church, train with us, for the Church.

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

Thanks for praying with us this week (Don’t miss the Weekend Edition tomorrow!)Thanks to Matthias Media for sponsoring the newsletter this month. Pre-order their new book, Share the Gospel and receive TWO FREE copies of “The Christian Gospel” when you mention SpurgeonBooks. Learn more here.*

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Our heart knows the Father’s love, for we have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, “Abba Father.” And we rejoice in the redemption of our spirits, and we expect the redemption of our bodies, when, at the coming of the Lord they too shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

O Jesus, you will bring your Israel out of Egypt, and not a hoof shall be left behind; no, not a bone, nor a piece of your elect shall be left in the hands of the adversary. We shall come out clean, delivered by him who does nothing by halves, but who on the cross said, “It is finished.” Who much more will say it on his throne: Glory be to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who has lifted us up from our ruin and condemnation, and made us new creatures, and justified us, and guaranteed us eternal life, which eternal life shall be manifested at the coming of the Lord. All glory be unto his ever blessed name forever and ever!

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Therefore the wicked will not stand up in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.” (Psalm 1:5)

They shall stand there to be judged, but not to be acquitted. Fear shall lay hold upon them there; they shall not stand their ground; they shall flee away; they shall not stand in their own defense; for they shall blush and be covered with eternal contempt.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Teach your kids the Bible’s big story

Our kids need more than simplistic moral stories from the Bible — they need to see for themselves that the whole Bible tells one magnificent story that points to Jesus. They need to hear (and believe) every Word of Scripture. They need to treasure Christ — the great reward of Scripture.

The fall is a “reset” for many families. As kids go back to school and more routine comes back into our lives, we have an opportunity to evaluate our current habits and cultivate new ones.

I really want to challenge parents — make family devotions a DAILY habit this school year.

To help you, I’ve created a series of family devotionals to help you dive into God’s Word with your kids — God Centered Family.

There are three things that make these devotionals unique:

1. They cover the WHOLE BIBLE.
(Because kids NEED the whole Bible, not just a few favorite stories)

2. They are INTERACTIVE.
(Because kids need to HEAR the Bible, not just sit through it)

3. They are for ALL AGES.
(Because the whole family needs the Bible)

I want to give you everything you need to teach your kids the Bible… in just TEN MINUTES every day.

There are two ways to get started:

• Subscribe to GodCenteredFamily.org — Get unlimited access to a growing library of devotionals and other family resources.
• NEW: Buy the new PAPERBACK devotional — 12-week devotional on Paul’s Letters available now — more coming soon.